Memory apparatus and a data-processing apparatus and method for reading from and writing to the memory apparatus

ABSTRACT

A memory apparatus, such as a memory card, comprising a first storage region and a second storage region. Data can be read from, and written into, the first storage region, in accordance with instructions made by a user. Data can be read from, and written into, the second storage region when a data-processing apparatus, to which the memory apparatus is connected, performs prescribed procedures. Data that should not be easily rewritten or read by users, such as a password or a use history, is stored into the second storage region. The security of the memory apparatus, such as a memory card, can therefore be enhanced.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a memory apparatus for storingdata, a data-processing apparatus that uses the memory apparatus as arecording medium, and a data-processing method.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A memory apparatus shaped like a card or a stick (hereinafterreferred to as memory card is used as a recording medium in personalcomputers and digital still cameras. The memory card has a flash memorythat is used as memory means.

[0003] The memory card has a storage area, which is divided into aplurality of blocks. The data written into the flash memory used asmemory means is managed in units of blocks. These blocks may be roughlyclassified into system blocks and user blocks. A system block storesread-only data. System-related data, such as data representing the blockconfiguration, is written as the read-only data into the system blockbefore the memory card is delivered from the factory. A user blockstores user data.

[0004] The data items recorded in the memory card may include ones thatshould not be easily rewritten or read out by the user. Among such dataitems are the password and the use history. (Hereinafter, data items ofthis type shall be generally called “special data”. In the conventionalmemory card, special data is stored in the user block, too.

[0005] There arise no problems if the special data is stored in the userblock, provided that the memory card is used in an electronic apparatusso designed that ordinary users cannot make an access to the specialdata. If the memory card is used in a general-purpose data-processingelectronic apparatus, such as a personal computer, however, ordinaryusers can easily access the user block. This is because the entire userblock can be usually accessed. Inevitably, the contents of the specialdata are easily made known to the ordinary users or may be easilyrewritten.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing. Theobject of this invention is to provide a memory apparatus that canmanage special data to disable users to access the special data easily,and also a data-processing apparatus and a data-processing method thatuse the memory apparatus as a recording medium.

[0007] The memory apparatus according to the present invention memoryapparatus comprises: a first storage region from which data can be readand into which data can be written, in accordance with instructions madeby a user; and a second storage region from which data can be read andinto which data can be written, when a data-processing apparatus towhich the memory apparatus is connected performs prescribed procedures.

[0008] That is, the memory apparatus according to the inventioncomprises the second storage region, i.e., a storage region other thanthe first storage region from which data can be read and into which datacan be written, in accordance with instructions made by the user. Datacan be read from, and written into, the second storage region when adata-processing apparatus, to which the memory apparatus is connected,performs prescribed procedures. Special data, such as a password,information about the copyright of the data stored in the first storageregion, the use history of the memory apparatus or the quality historythereof, may be stored in the second storage region. If so, the usercannot easily make an access to the special data.

[0009] The memory apparatus may further comprise a read-only storageregion storing address data of the second storage region. In this case,the second storage region can be designated by referring to the addressdata written in the read-only storage region.

[0010] The data-processing apparatus according to the inventioncomprises data-processing means for writing data into, and reading datafrom, a memory apparatus. The memory apparatus comprises: a firststorage region from which data can be read and into which data can bewritten, in accordance with instructions made by a user, and a secondstorage region from which data can be read and into which data can bewritten, when a data-processing apparatus to which the memory apparatusis connected performs prescribed procedures. The data-processing meanswrites data into, or reads data from, the first storage region when theinstructions made by the user are supplied to the memory apparatus towrite the data into, or to read the data from, the memory apparatus.

[0011] In the data-processing apparatus, data is written into the firststorage region of the memory apparatus when the instructions made by theuser are supplied to the memory apparatus to write the data into thememory apparatus. Data is read from the first storage region when theinstructions made by the user are supplied to the memory apparatus toread the data from the memory apparatus. That is, data cannot be writteninto, or read from, the second storage region in accordance with theinstructions made by the user.

[0012] Thus, when the data-processing apparatus is used to write datainto or read the data from the memory apparatus, such special data asdescribed above written into the second storage region, remains unknownto the user and cannot be rewritten by the user.

[0013] In the data-processing apparatus, the data-processing means maydesignate the second storage region of the memory apparatus upon receiptof instructions for writing the data into the second storage region ofthe memory apparatus or reading the data from the second storage region,thereby writing the data into the second storage region or reading thedata from the second storage region.

[0014] In this case, the data-processing means can read such specialdata as described above from, and write such special data into, thesecond storage region. However, the user cannot make the instruction towrite the data into, or read the data from, the second storage region.This instruction can be issued only on a special occasion, for examplewhen the password input by the user is authenticated.

[0015] The data-processing apparatus may be designed such that passworddata is written in the second storage region of the memory apparatus.The data-processing means receives instructions to read the passworddata from the second storage region when the user makes instructions towrite data into the memory apparatus or read data from the memoryapparatus. The data-processing means reads the password data from thesecond storage region or writes data into the first storage region ofthe memory apparatus or reads data from the first storage region whenthe password data read from the second storage region coincides with thepassword data input by the user.

[0016] In this case, valid instructions are only those made by theauthenticated user who knows the password data written in the secondstorage region. That is, data can be read from and written into thefirst storage region, only in accordance with the instructions made bythe authenticated user.

[0017] In the data-processing method according to the present invention,use is made, as a recording medium, an memory apparatus comprising afirst storage region from which data can be read and into which data canbe written, on the basis of instructions made by a user, and a secondstorage region from which data can be read and into which data can bewritten, when a data-processing apparatus to which the memory apparatusis connected performs prescribed procedures. Data is written into, orread from, the first storage region when the user makes instructions towrite the data into, or to read the data from, the memory apparatus.

[0018] In this method, data cannot be written into or read from thesecond storage region in accordance with the instructions made by theuser. Hence, such special data as mentioned above, which is written inthe second storage region, remains unknown to the user and cannot berewritten by the user.

[0019] In the data-processing method, the second storage region of thememory apparatus may be designated upon receipt of instructions forwriting the data into the second storage region of the memory apparatusor reading the data from the second storage region, and the data iswritten into the second storage region or read from the second storageregion.

[0020] If this in the case, it is possible to read such special data asmentioned above from, and write the same into, the second storage regionof the memory apparatus. However, the user cannot make the instructionto write the data into, or read the data from, the second storageregion. This instruction can be issued only on a special occasion, forexample when the password input by the user is authenticated.

[0021] In the data-processing method, password data may be written inthe second storage region of the memory apparatus. Instructions to readthe password data from the second storage region may be received whenthe user makes instructions to write data into the memory apparatus orread data from the memory apparatus, and the password data may therebybe read from the second storage region. Then, data is written into thefirst storage region of the memory apparatus or read from the firststorage region when the password data red from the second storage regioncoincides with the password data input by the user.

[0022] In this case, valid instructions are only those made by theauthenticated user who knows the password data written in the secondstorage region. That is, data can be read from and written into thefirst storage region, only in accordance with the instructions made bythe authenticated user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the storage areaof a memory card according to the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is a flow chart explaining an example of the systeminitialization performed when the memory card is set in adata-processing apparatus and then activated.

[0025]FIG. 3 illustrates a conversion table showing the correspondencebetween physical addresses and logical addresses;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a flow chart explaining a process of setting a passwordin the memory card;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting a music datarecording/reproducing system that uses the memory card containing apassword, as a recording medium;

[0028]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of thedata-processing section incorporated in a music data receivingapparatus;

[0029]FIG. 7 is a flow chart explaining a process of authenticating theuser in accordance with the password written into the special user blockof the memory card; and

[0030]FIG. 8 is a flow chart explaining a process reproducing andoutputting the music data written into the memory card, in the musicdata recording/reproducing system mentioned above.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0031] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will bedescribed, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, a memory card according to the invention will be explained,which is designed to be used while connected to a personal computer, adigital still camera, or the like.

[0032] This memory card comprises a nonvolatile memory device (flashmemory) that is used as memory means. In the memory card, the flashmemory, i.e., the memory means, has a storage area. The storage area isdivided into a plurality of blocks for recording data. The data storedin the memory means are managed in units of blocks.

[0033] The storage area of the memory card according to the inventionmay have such a configuration as is illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 1(a), the storage area of the memory card has a system block, whichis a read-only storage region. The storage area further has a firststorage region, or a plurality of user blocks, in which data can berewritten. Still further, the storage area has a second storage region,or at least one special user block, in which data can be rewritten.

[0034] Of the storage regions of the memory card, the system block is aread-only region in which data has been already written. That is, thesystem-related data, e.g., data representing the block configuration,had been written as the read-only data into the system block before thememory card was delivered from the factory. More precisely, a block IDand a user-use prohibition table are stored in the system block as isillustrated in FIG. 1(b). The block ID specifies that this block is asystem block. The user-use prohibition table specifies the blocks anyuser cannot use.

[0035] Only the block ID and the user-use prohibition table areexemplified here as the information that is already written in thesystem block. Nonetheless, other information may be written in thesystem block. More specifically, it is desired that the data required toactivate the memory card, such as the type of the memory card, the totalnumber of blocks and the size of each block, be written in the systemblock. Moreover, management data, such as serial numbers, may be writtenin the system block, as well.

[0036] The user-use prohibition table stored in the system block is atable that contains the address data items of those blocks any usercannot use. In other words, the user cannot use any block the address ofwhich is registered in the user-use prohibition table. More precisely,the addresses of initially defective blocks and the address of thespecial user block are registered in the user-use prohibition table asis illustrated in FIG. 1(c). The word “initially defective blocks meansuser blocks” in which defective memory chips have been found at the timeof assembling the memory card.

[0037] Once the addresses of the initially defective blocks areregistered in the user-use prohibition table, the user will never happento access the user blocks containing initially defective memory chips.This prevents errors at the time of storing data into the memory card.

[0038] Since the address of the special user block is registered in theuser-use prohibition table, the access to the special user block, madeby the user, is restricted. Thus, the data stored in the special userblock will not be easily known to the user or easily rewritten by theuser.

[0039] Of the storage regions of the memory card, the user blocks arestorage regions in which data can be rewritten. Data can be rewritten inthe user blocks, in accordance with the instructions made by the user.That is, the user blocks are storage areas open to the user. The usercan write data into the user blocks, can erase the data stored in theuser blocks and can read the data stored in the user blocks.

[0040] To state more specifically, the image data the user hasphotographed with a digital still camera, the data the user hasgenerated in a personal computer, the music data distributed from amusic distributor, or similar data is stored, as user data, into theuser blocks in accordance with the instructions made by the user.

[0041] Of the storage regions of the memory card, the special user blockis a storage region in which data can be rewritten. However, data canneither be read from nor written into the special user block inaccordance with the instructions made by the user. The data can be readfrom and written into the special user block only when thedata-processing apparatus to which the memory card is connected carriesout special procedures.

[0042] Special data items, such as a password, that should not be easilyrewritten or read by the user are stored into the special user blockwhen the data-processing apparatus to which the memory card is connectedperforms the special procedures.

[0043] Once the special data items are stored in the special user blockin this way, the contents of the special data items would not easily beknown to, or rewritten by, ordinary users.

[0044] The memory card may have only one special user block or aplurality of special user blocks. If the card has too many special userblocks, however, the user blocks will decrease in number. In view ofthis, it is desired that special user blocks be provided in anappropriate number in consideration of the storage capacity the memorycard has, the use of the special user blocks, and the like.

[0045] The memory card having the block configuration described abovemay be connected to a data-processing apparatus such as a personalcomputer, by the use of a PCMCIA (ATA card) adapter or the like. In thiscase, the personal computer can make accesses to only the user blocks inthe storage area of the memory card. Neither the system block nor thespecial user block is seen from the personal computer. That is, theirexistence is unknown to the personal computer.

[0046] Further, the memory card may be connected directly to adata-processing apparatus compatible with the memory card, such as adigital still camera or a music data receiving apparatus. In this case,the user data, i.e., the image data generated by the digital stillcamera or the music data received by the music data receiving apparatus,is stored into the user blocks in accordance with the user'sinstructions. If necessary, the digital still camera and the music datareceiving apparatus can write special data, such as a password and usehistory, into the special user block and can read the special data fromthe special user block, by performing special procedures.

[0047] With reference to the flow chart of FIG. 2 it will be explainedhow the system is initialized when the memory card is connected to adata-processing apparatus and then activated.

[0048] When the memory card is connected to the data-processingapparatus, the data-processing apparatus searches the memory card forthe system block in Step S101. The block ID stored in the system blockis used to detect the system block.

[0049] Then, in Step S1-2, the data-processing apparatus reads theuser-use prohibition table stored in the system block of the memorycard.

[0050] In Step S1-3, the data-processing apparatus initializes aconversion table for converting physical addresses to logic addressesand vice versa. This table is stored in a memory provided in thedata-processing apparatus. The conversion table stores thecorrespondence between the physical addresses that are assigned to theblocks of the memory card and the logic addresses that are used in thedata-processing apparatus to manage data. The conversion table alsostores the flags specifying the types of blocks, which correspond to thephysical addresses and logic addresses.

[0051] In Sep S1-4, the data-processing apparatus sets, as variable N,the physical address of the block next to the system block.

[0052] Next, in Step S1-5, the data-processing apparatus refers to theuser-use prohibition table, thereby determining whether or not the blockhaving the physical address of N is one that the user is prohibited fromusing. If it is determined that the block is not one the user isprohibited from using, the flow goes to Step S1-6. In Step S1-6, thelogic address corresponding to the block having the physical address ofN and the flag specifying the type of this block are written into theconversion table for converting physical addresses to logic addressesand vice versa.

[0053] If it is determined in Step S1-5 that the block is one the useris prohibited from using, the flow goes to Step S1-7. In Step S1-7, onlythe flag specifying the type of this block is written into theconversion table for converting physical addresses to logic addressesand vice versa.

[0054] Then, the data-processing apparatus adds one (1) to variable N InStep S1-8 and compares the value of variable N with the value of thephysical address of the last block of the memory card in Step S1-9.Thus, the apparatus determines whether variable N has become greaterthan the value of the last block. If the apparatus determines that thevariable N has not become so yet, the flow returns to Step S1-5, wherebythe process is repeated.

[0055] If it is determined in Step S1-9 that variable N has becomegreater than the value of the last block, the process of initializingthe system is terminated.

[0056] When the system is initialized as described above, there isgenerated a conversion table for converting physical addresses to logicaddresses and vice versa, in the memory of the data-processingapparatus. FIG. 3 shows an example of the conversion table. As shown inFIG. 3, the conversion table stores the correlation between physicaladdresses and logic addresses.

[0057] Stored also in the conversion table are flags that specify thetypes of the blocks. That is, each flag indicates whether the block isthe system block, a user block, the special user block, or a defectiveblock. The flag “S” specifies the system block. A flag “U”, a flag “SU”and a flag “B” specify a user block, the special user block and adefective block, respectively.

[0058] Of the blocks of the memory card, the system block and theuser-use-prohibited blocks are not assigned with logic addresses.Therefore, in the logic-address column in FIG. 3, marks “X” are shownfor the system block and the user-use prohibited blocks.

[0059] An example of the process of setting a password in the memorycard described above will be explained, with reference to the flow chartof FIG. 4. To set a password in the memory card, there is used adata-processing apparatus designed only to set a password, not ageneral-purpose, data-processing apparatus such as a personal computer.

[0060] In order to set a password in the memory card, thedata-processing apparatus designed only to set a password in the memorycard makes a request for a password in Step S2-1. For example, theapparatus displays a message on a display, asking the person who can seta password to input a password and, thus, making a request for apassword.

[0061] Then, in Step S2-2, a password is input to the data-processingapparatus. In Step S2-3, the data-processing apparatus acquires theaddress data of the special user block, from the user-use prohibitiontable stored in the system block of the memory card. The apparatustherefore designates the address of the special user block.

[0062] The data-processing apparatus that is designed only to set apassword may initializes the system in such a way as has been described.If so, it can refer to the conversion table stored in the memory,thereby to designate the address of the special user block.

[0063] Next, in Step S2-4, the data-processing apparatus makes an accessto the special user block that has been designated in Step S2-3. Theapparatus then performs the process of writing the password input inStep S2-2, into the special user block.

[0064] In Step S2-5, the data-processing apparatus accesses the specialuser block and reads the password that has been written in Step S2-4.The apparatus correlates the password with the password input in StepS2-2, thus determining if the correct password has been written into thespecial user block.

[0065] If the correct password has not been written into the specialuser block, the flow returns to Step S2-4, and the process of writingthe password into the special user block is performed again. If thecorrect password has not been written into the special user block, theprocess of setting a password is terminated.

[0066] Once the password has been written into the special user block ofthe memory card as described above, ordinary users cannot to thisspecial user block. The ordinary users cannot know the password. Nor canthey alter or rewritten the password. Hence, the data-processingapparatus that uses the memory card as the recording medium writes andreads data, exclusively in accordance with the instructions made by theauthenticated user. This prevents the undesirable event that any otherperson may read or rewrite the data written in the memory card.

[0067] Thus far, it has been described how password data is stored intothe special user block. Nonetheless, the data to be stored into thespecial user block is not limited to password data.

[0068] For instance, the information concerning the copyright of thedata stored in the user blocks may be stored into the special userblock. Once stored in the special user block, the copyright informationcannot be accessed by ordinary users. This prevents alteration of thecopyright information.

[0069] Further, the use history of the memory card may be stored intothe special user block. The term “use history” means a record of theaccesses that were made to the memory card in the past to read data, forexample, from the memory card, write data into the memory card, andformat the memory card. Once the use history is recorded in the specialuser block, it is possible for the user to obtain statisticalinformation about the past use of the memory card.

[0070] Still further, the quality history of the memory card may bestored into the special user block. The term “quality history” means arecord of the conditions in which the memory card was used whileconnected to electronic apparatuses and also of the errors that weremade in the memory card. Once recorded in the special user block, thequality history can be confirmed and studied, whenever necessary, forexample when the memory card is sent back from the user to the salesshop or the manufacturer.

[0071] The memory card with a password set in it can be used in variousways. A music data recording/reproducing system, which uses the memorycard as a recording medium, will be described below.

[0072] The music data recording/reproducing system has a music datareceiving apparatus and a speaker. The music data receiving apparatusreceives the music data distributed from a music distributor. The musicdata is stored into a user block of the memory card. The music data isreproduced from the user block of the memory card and output by means ofthe speaker. It should be noted that the music data receiving apparatusis not a general-purpose data-processing apparatus such as a personalcomputer. Rather, it is an apparatus compatible with the memory card. Itcan make an access to the special user block of the memory card.

[0073] As is shown in FIG. 5, the music data receiving apparatus 10comprises an input/output section 11, a data-processing section 12, andan output section 13. The input/output section 11 receives the musicdata transmitted from the music source the music distributor 20. Thedata-processing section 12 writes the music data into the user blocks ofthe memory card 30 and reads the music data from the user blocks of thememory card 30. The output section 13 outputs the music data thedata-processing section 12 has read from the user blocks of the memorycard.

[0074] An input apparatus 40 and a display apparatus 50 are connected tothe data-processing section 12. The input apparatus 40 is, for example,a keyboard and receives the instructions made by the user and otherdata. The display apparatus 50 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel,and displays the data generated by the data-processing section 12. Thememory card 30, in which a password has been set, is connected to thedata-processing section 12. An audio output apparatus 60, such as aspeaker, is connected to the output section 13.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 6, the data-processing section 12 comprises acentral processing unit (CPU) 14 and a memory 15. The CPU 14 and thememory 15 are connected by a bus 16. The memory card 30, input apparatus40 and display apparatus 50 are connected to the CPU 14 and the memory15 by the bus 16.

[0076] The CPU 14 serves to perform various processes in thedata-processing section 12. The memory 15 is used as a work area forassisting the CPU 14 to effect the processes. It serves as a storagearea in which the operation system (OS) (the program the CPU 14 uses toperform the processes), device drivers, and application programs arestored.

[0077] In the music data recording/reproducing system thus constructed,the music data the music data receiving apparatus 10 has received iswritten into a user block of the memory card 30 in the following manner.First, the memory card 30 is connected to the music data receivingapparatus 10. At this time, the system is initialized as has beendescribed above, and a conversion table is generated in the memory 15 ofthe music data receiving apparatus 10. The conversion table shows thecorrelation between physical addresses and logic addresses of the blocksin the memory card 30 and stores flags indicating the types of theblocks. At the same time, a FAT (File Allocation Table) and a directoryentry are generated in the memory of the music data receiving layer 10.

[0078] When the memory card 30 is connected to the music data receivingapparatus 10, the apparatus 10 authenticates the password.

[0079] How the music data receiving apparatus 10 authenticates thepassword will be explained, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 7.

[0080] First, in Step S3-1, the music data receiving apparatus 10, towhich the memory card 30 has been connected, requests that the userinput a password. For example, the data-processing section 12 of themusic data receiving apparatus 10 causes the display apparatus 50 todisplay a message, asking the user to input a password.

[0081] In Step S3-2, the user operates the input apparatus 40, therebyinputting a password. Then, in Step S3-3, the data-processing section 12of the music data receiving apparatus 10 accesses the system block ofthe memory card 30, acquiring the address data of the special user blockfrom the user-use prohibition table. The section 12 specifies theaddress of the special user block on the basis of the address data.

[0082] The conversion table storing the flags indicating the types ofthe blocks in the memory card 30 has been generated in the memory 15 ofthe data-processing section 12 of the music data receiving apparatus 10by initializing the system as described above. More correctly, theconversion table is stored in that storage area of the memory 15, inwhich the device drivers are stored. Therefore, the data-processingsection 12 of the music data receiving apparatus 10 may refer to theconversion table, thereby to specify the address of the special userblock.

[0083] In Step S3-4, the data-processing section 12 of the music datareceiving apparatus 10 accesses the special user block that has beenspecified in Step S3-3. The section 12 then reads the password from thespecial user block.

[0084] In Step S3-5, the data-processing section 12 of the music datareceiving apparatus 10 correlates the password input in Step S3-2 withthe password read in Step S3-4 from the special user block. If thesepasswords do not coincide, the section 12 does not allow the user to usethe memory card, and the flow returns to Step S3-1. In Step S3-1, themusic data receiving apparatus 10 requests again that the user input apassword. If Step S3-5 is repeated several times and the passwords haveyet to coincide, the data-processing section 12 of the music datareceiving apparatus 10 determines that the password has been input by auser who has not been authenticated. In this case, the data-processingsection 12 may cause the display apparatus 50 to display a message,indicating that an error has been made, and may terminates the processof authenticating the user, not allowing the user to use the memorycard.

[0085] On the other hand, if the passwords coincide, the section 12allows the user to use the memory card. The process of authenticatingthe user in accordance with the password then ends.

[0086] After completion of the process of authenticating the user inaccordance with the password, the user can write the music data receivedby the music data receiving apparatus 10, as user data, into the userblock of the memory card 30. Also, the user can reproduce the music dataread from the user block of the memory card 30 and then output the musicdata from the audio output apparatus 60, which is, for example, aspeaker or a headphone.

[0087] An example of the process of writing the music data received bythe music data receiving apparatus 10, as user data, into the user blockof the memory card 30 will be described below.

[0088] First, the music data is transmitted from the music distributor20 to the music data receiving apparatus 10. The music data is stored asmusic source and include the numbers assigned to various musical pieces.The music data receiving apparatus 10 receives the music data and makesthe display apparatus 50 display the music data.

[0089] Next, the user refers to the music data displayed by the displayapparatus 50 and selects one of the musical pieces. The user thenoperates the input apparatus 40, thereby inputting the number assignedto the musical piece selected.

[0090] The music data receiving apparatus 10 transmits the numberassigned to the musical piece selected by the user, to the musicdistributor 20. The music distributor 20 transmits the music data thatcorresponds to the music number received at the music distributor 20.

[0091] In the music data receiving apparatus 10, the input/outputsection 11 receives the music data transmitted from the musicdistributor 20. The data-processing section 12 writes the music data asuser data, in the form of a file, into the user block of the memory card30. The data-processing section 12 of the music data receiving apparatus10 may render copyright bits valid in the memory card 30. This can makeit impossible to read the music data from the user block of the memorycard 30 by the use of a data-processing apparatus such as ageneral-purpose personal computer. The copyright bits have been definedto limit the use of any data protected by copyright. As long as thecopyright bits remain valid, the memory card 30 can not be used indata-processing apparatuses such as general-purpose personal computers.

[0092] The process of writing the music data into the user block of thememory card 30 ends. Then, the data representing the charge for use ofthe music data, the information about the user and the like aretransmitted to the music distributor 20 from the data-processing section12 of the music data receiving apparatus 10. More precisely, they aretransmitted from the input/output section 11 of the section 12.

[0093] An example of the process of reproducing the music data writtenin the user block of the memory card 30 and outputting the same from theaudio output apparatus 60 will now be described, with reference to theflow chart of FIG. 8.

[0094] First, in Step S4-1, the instruction made by the user is input tothe music data receiving apparatus 10 via the input apparatus 40, uponcompletion of the process of authenticating the user on the basis of thepassword. The instruction is so input to reproduce the music data.

[0095] The data-processing section 12 of the music data receivingapparatus 10 accesses the user block of the memory card 30. The section12 reads the music data written in the user block of the memory card 30.

[0096] More specifically, the CPU 14 reads a command to reproduce themusic data stored in the application storage area, when the instructionis input from the user to reproduce the music data. To execute thiscommand, the name of the file constituting the music data the user hasdesignated as one to be read is specified in Step S4-1. The music datais thereby read from the application storage area.

[0097] When the name of the file constituting the music data isspecified, the device driver receives the file name and thedata-reproducing command. In Step S4-3, the device driver refers to theFAT and the directory entry, thus designating the logic address of themusic data that constitutes that file.

[0098] Next, in Step S4-4, the device driver refers to the conversiontable that stores the correlation between the addresses of physicalblocks and the addresses of logic blocks, all blocks provided in thememory card 30. Thus, the device driver acquires the physical addressdata of the user block that contains the music data constituting thefile.

[0099] In Step S4-5, the device driver generates a block-reading commandthat has, as a parameter, the physical address it has acquired. Thedevice driver then accesses the user block of the memory card 30,reading the music data from the user block having the physical addressacquired.

[0100] In Step S4-6, the CPU 14 converts the music data read from theuser block, in a particular manner, to data that can be output to theaudio output apparatus 60. This data-converting process is performed inunits of data items, each read at a time from a user block of the memorycard 30.

[0101] Next, in Step S4-7, it is determined whether all music dataconstituting the file has been read and converted. If it is determinedthat any part of the music data that constitutes the file has not beenread or converted yet, the flow returns to Step S4-5. In Step S4-5, themusic data is read again from the user block. In Step S4-6, the musicdata read out is converted.

[0102] If it is determined in Step S4-7 that all music data constitutingthe file has been read and converted, the flow goes to Step S4-8. InStep S4-8, the music data is transmitted to the audio output apparatus60 from the output section 13 of the music data receiving apparatus 10.The audio output apparatus 60 outputs the music data. Thus does end theprocess reproducing and outputting the music data.

[0103] In the case described above, the music data written in the userblock of the memory card 30 is reproduced when the user is authenticatedin accordance with the password. Only the data not protected bycopyright may be reproduced, while the data protected by copyright isnot reproduced, even if the user cannot be authenticated in accordancewith the password. The data protected by copyright is encrypted, asusual, and stored in the user block of the memory card 30. The dataencrypted is read from the user block, decrypted by a data-decryptingmeans and finally output. Hence, the data not protected by copyright canbe reproduced, while preventing illegal reproduction of the copyrighteddata, if the copyrighted data is not decrypted when the user is notauthenticated in accordance with the password.

[0104] The music data recording/reproducing system described above uses,as recording medium, the memory card 30 that stores a password. A systemfor recording and reproducing various kinds of data, such as movie data,can be provided, which is similar in structure to the music datarecording/reproducing system. For example, a movie datarecording/reproducing system may be provided. In this system, the videodata receiving apparatus receives the movie data distributed from amovie distributor. The movie data is stored into the user blocks of thememory card 30. The motion-picture data and audio data are read from theuser blocks of the memory card 30. The motion-picture data istransmitted to the display apparatus such as a CRT display or a liquidcrystal display, whereas the audio data is transmitted to the audiooutput apparatus such as a speaker. The display apparatus displays themotion picture, and the audio output apparatus outputs the sound.

[0105] The memory card with a password set in it may be used in asecurity system, in which the password a member of is authenticated byusing the memory card in order to open or close a clock.

[0106] In the security system, memory cards are issued to only themembers. Each member operates a data-processing apparatus for settingpasswords, thereby writing a password into the special user block of hisor her memory card. Alternatively, memory cards, each having a passwordwritten in it by the use of a dedicated data-processing apparatus, areissued to the members, and each member is informed of the passwordwritten in the memory card issued to him or her.

[0107] Each member connects the memory card to the data-processingapparatus that comprises an actuator for controlling the opening andclosing of the lock. This data-processing apparatus is not ageneral-purposed one such as a personal computer. Rather, it is adata-processing apparatus compatible with the memory cards and can makean access to the special user blocks of the memory cards if prescribedprocedures are performed.

[0108] When the memory card is connected to it, the data-processingapparatus authenticates the member holding the memory card, on the basisof the password in such a way as described above. Only when the memberis authenticated in accordance with the password, the actuator of theapparatus is operated, thereby opening the lock. In this securitysystem, any person who has illegally obtained a memory card cannot havethe lock opened. This is because he or she does not know the passwordset in the memory card. The password, which is necessary to open thelock, is written in the special user block of the memory card, to whichthe user cannot make an access. Hence, the password remains unknown toanyone who has illegally possesses the memory card.

[0109] In the security system described above, the opening and closingof the lock can be controlled only by authenticating the holder of thememory card in accordance with the password. Therefore, procedures, suchas registering of the members, need not be performed at all. Thesecurity system can be simple and can yet perform its function reliably.

[0110] The memory card with a password set in it may be put to anotheruse. It may be effectively used in a personal-data management system. Inthis system, the holder of the memory card is authenticated inaccordance with the password. Only if so authenticated, the card holdercan refer to and rewrite the personal data, such as medical care record.

[0111] In the personal-data management system, the memory card with thepassword set in it is used as a recording medium for recording thepersonal data such as the medical care record. The personal data may bewritten in the user blocks of the memory card. If the data is veryimportant and is not of a great amount, it may be written into thespecial user block. In this case, however, the personal data is writteninto a region of the special user block, other than the region intowhich the password has been written. For instance, if the password iswritten in the first page of the special user block, the personal datawill be written into the second page of the special user block.

[0112] To refer to or correct the personal data written in the memorycard, or to write additional personal data, the memory card is connectedto the data-processing apparatus having a data-processing section forreading data from, and writing data into, the memory card. Thedata-processing apparatus is not a general-purpose one such as apersonal computer. Instead, one is compatible with memory cards. It canaccess the special user block of each memory card by performingprescribed procedures.

[0113] When a memory card is connected to it, the data-processingapparatus authenticates the holder of the memory card in accordance withthe password. Only if the card holder is authenticated on the basis ofthe password, the apparatus reads the personal data from the user blocksor special user block of the memory card in accordance with aninstruction made by the user. At this time, to read the personal datafrom the user blocks, the data-processing apparatus performs the sameprocess as music data is read from the user blocks of the memory card inthe music data recording/reproducing system described above. To read thepersonal data from the special user block, the apparatus carries out thesame process as the user is authenticated on the basis of the password.

[0114] Next, in the data-processing apparatus, a video encoder or thelike causes a display apparatus, such as a CRT display or a liquidcrystal display, to display the personal data that has been read fromthe memory card. When the user input an instruction to correct thepersonal data displayed by the display apparatus or to add new personaldata, the data-processing apparatus rewrites the personal data, in thememory card to the personal data input by the user, or writes the newpersonal data into the memory card.

[0115] The personal-data management system allows the user to refer toor correct the personal data written in the memory card and to write newpersonal data into the memory card, only if the user is authenticated inaccordance with the password. Thus, the personal data, e.g., medicalcare record, can be managed in safety. In the personal-data managementsystem, the password that the user must input in order to refer to orcorrect the personal data or to add new personal data remains unknown toany other persons. This is because the password is written in thespecial user block of the memory card, to which nobody can make anaccess. Hence, any other person cannot read or rewrite the personaldata.

[0116] As has been described above in detail, the memory card accordingto the present invention has a special user block that cannot beaccessed by ordinary users. Data that should not be disclosed to theuser, such as a password, can be stored in the special user block.

[0117] In the case of the conventional memory card, all blocks exceptthe system block can be accessed from general-purpose data-processingapparatuses such as personal computer. It is therefore impossible tostore data that should not be disclosed to the user, such as thepassword, in such a way to maintain it concealed from the user.

[0118] By contrast, the memory card according to the present inventionhas a special user block for storing data that should not be disclosedto the user. Hence, the data, e.g., the password, can be stored andconcealed from the user. Unlike the conventional memory card, the memorycard according to this invention can therefore help to provide a systemthat excels in security.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0119] With the memory apparatus according to the present invention,such as a memory card, it is possible manage data that should not beeasily rewritten or read by the user, such as the password or the usehistory, so that the user cannot easily make an access to that data.

1. An memory apparatus comprising: a first storage region from whichdata can be read and into which data can be written, in accordance withinstructions made by a user; and a second storage region from which datacan be read and into which data can be written, when a data-processingapparatus to which the memory apparatus is connected performs prescribedprocedures.
 2. A memory apparatus according to claim 1, characterized inthat the first storage region and the second storage region are composedof non-volatile memory elements.
 3. A memory apparatus according toclaim 1, characterized in that the second memory region is used as aregion for storing password data.
 4. A memory apparatus according toclaim 1, characterized in that the second storage region is used as aregion for storing copyright data concerning the data stored in thefirst storage region.
 5. A memory apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that the second memory region is used as a region forstoring a use history of the memory apparatus.
 6. A memory apparatusaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the second storage region isused as a region for storing a quality history of the memory apparatus.7. A memory apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by furthercomprising a read-only storage region storing address data of the secondstorage region.
 8. A data-processing apparatus comprisingdata-processing means for writing data into, and reading data from, anmemory apparatus comprising a first storage region from which data canbe read and into which data can be written, in accordance withinstructions made by a user, and a second storage region from which datacan be read and into which data can be written, when a data-processingapparatus to which the memory apparatus is connected performs prescribedprocedures, wherein said data-processing means writes data into, orreads data from, the first storage region when the instructions made bythe user are supplied to the memory apparatus to write the data into, orto read the data from, the memory apparatus.
 9. A data-processingapparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that thedata-processing means refers to a conversion table showing a physicaladdress of the first storage region of the memory apparatus and data tobe written into the first storage region or a logic address of the datawritten in the first storage region, thereby writing the data into thefirst storage region or reading the data from the first storage region.10. A data-processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized inthat the data to be written into the first storage region of the memoryapparatus or the data written in the first storage region of the memoryapparatus is managed in units of files, and the data-processing meansdesignates a logic address of data from the data to be written into thefirst storage region of the memory apparatus or from the file name ofthe data written in the first storage region and refers to theconversion table, thereby writing the data into the first storage regionor reading the data from the first storage region.
 11. A data-processingapparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that thedata-processing means designates the second storage region of the memoryapparatus upon receipt of instructions for writing the data into thesecond storage region of the memory apparatus or reading the data fromthe second storage region, thereby writing the data into the secondstorage region or reading the data from the second storage region.
 12. Adata-processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in thatthe data-processing means refers to a conversion table showing aphysical address of the second storage region of the memory apparatus,thereby designating the second storage region, and writes data into thesecond storage region or reads data from the second storage region. 13.A data-processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in thatthe memory apparatus comprises a read-only storage region storingaddress data of the second storage region, and the data-processing meansdesignates the second storage region on the basis of the address datastored in the read-only storage region, thereby writing data into thesecond storage region or reading data from the second storage region.14. A data-processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized inthat password data is written in the second storage region of the memoryapparatus; the control means receives instructions to read the passworddata from the second storage region when the user makes instructions towrite data into the memory apparatus or read data from the memoryapparatus, thereby reading the password data from the second storageregion, or writing data into the first storage region of the memoryapparatus or reads data from the first storage region when the passworddata read from the second storage region coincides with the passworddata input by the user.
 15. A data-processing method characterized inthat use is made, as a recording medium, an memory apparatus comprisinga first storage region from which data can be read and into which datacan be written, in accordance with instructions made by a user, and asecond storage region from which data can be read and into which datacan be written, when a data-processing apparatus to which the memoryapparatus is connected performs prescribed procedures; and data iswritten into, or read from, the first storage region when the user makesinstructions to write the data into, or to read the data from, thememory apparatus.
 16. A data-processing method according to claim 15,characterized in that a conversion table showing a physical address ofthe first storage region of the memory apparatus and data to be writteninto the first storage region or a logic address of the data written inthe first storage region is referred to, and the data is thereby writteninto the first storage region or read from the first storage region. 17.A data-processing method according to claim 16, characterized in thatthe data to be written into the first storage region of the memoryapparatus or the data written in the first storage region of the memoryapparatus is managed in units of files, a logic address of data isdesignated from the data to be written into the first storage region ofthe memory apparatus or from the file name of the data written in thefirst storage region, and the conversion table is referred to, and thedata is thereby written into the first storage region or read from thefirst storage region.
 18. A data-processing method according to claim16, characterized in that the second storage region of the memoryapparatus is designated upon receipt of instructions for writing thedata into the second storage region of the memory apparatus or readingthe data from the second storage region, and the data is written intothe second storage region or read from the second storage region.
 19. Adata-processing method according to claim 18, characterized in that aconversion table showing a physical address of the second storage regionof the memory apparatus is referred to, thereby designating the secondstorage region, and data is written into the second storage region orread from the second storage region.
 20. A data-processing methodaccording to claim 18, characterized in that the memory apparatuscomprises a read-only storage region storing address data of the secondstorage region, the second storage region is designated on the basis ofthe address data stored in the read-only storage region, and data iswritten into the second storage region or read from the second storageregion.
 21. A data-processing method according to claim 18,characterized in that password data is written in the second storageregion of the memory apparatus; instructions to read the password datafrom the second storage region are received when the user makesinstructions to write data into the memory apparatus or read data fromthe memory apparatus, the password data is thereby read from the secondstorage region, and data is written into the first storage region of thememory apparatus or read from the first storage region when the passworddata red from the second storage region coincides with the password datainput by the user.